Wayne Rooney is set to become a regular face on TV screens once again, having reportedly signed a lucrative £800,000 punditry deal ahead of the 2025/26 football season. The former Manchester United and England captain appears to be shifting focus to media work after a mixed managerial journey since retiring from playing in 2021.
Rooney’s coaching career has included stints at Derby County, D.C. United, Birmingham City, and most recently Plymouth Argyle. While he earned praise for taking charge of Derby during a turbulent period and managing 85 games, his tenure ended following the club’s relegation to League One. His time in MLS with D.C. United also ended without notable success, as he left by mutual consent after failing to secure a playoff spot.
His returns to English football with Birmingham and Plymouth were short-lived, with both clubs dismissing him before he reached 25 games in charge. Despite his legendary status as a player, Rooney’s managerial career has yet to deliver consistent results.
Now, he’s turning his attention to punditry—a field in which he has already made a strong impression. He has previously appeared as a guest analyst for Sky Sports and Amazon Prime, earning praise for his football knowledge and candid insight.
Rooney’s new role will be part of a refreshed lineup for Match of the Day, following the departure of long-time host Gary Lineker, who stepped down at the end of the 2024/25 season after 25 years at the helm. Presenting duties will now rotate between Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan, and Kelly Cates across both Match of the Day and Match of the Day 2.
As one of the most recognisable figures in English football, Rooney’s addition brings both star power and deep playing experience to the pundit team. With his managerial ambitions currently on hold, punditry could mark the beginning of a promising new chapter in his footballing journey.